Policies, Practices, and Leadership to Create Aligned and Integrated P-12 Learning Systems in Two States

and Ontario

A project funded by the McCormick Foundation

Erika Hunt and Lisa HoodCenter for the Study of Education

Policy Illinois State University

Leadership to Integrate the Learning Continuum (LINC)

Supporting leaders in early childhood and K-12 to develop and nurture a seamless learning continuum centered on children's learning and development

Website: www.leadershiplinc.ilstu.edu

Research Questions

1. What is the context and nature of the linkages and partnerships between early learning providers and (P)K-12 schools involved in the collaboration? What are the promising alignment and coordination practices currently implemented?

2. What are the most current issues and barriers to creating a seamless learning continuum?

3. What actions do practitioners recommend that would facilitate their efforts to develop and sustain a P-12 learning continuum? What federal, state, and local policies would eliminate current barriers to an effective P-12 continuum?

Research Design

Case study of 3 state/provincial systems of P-12 programs – Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and OntarioInterviews with staff at

state/provincial departments of education

Educators in local P-12 programs Observations

Walkthroughs in classrooms Document review

Policy, practice, and research documents related to P-12 programs

Hawaii Sample:

State coordinator, State Department of Education staff, private funder, university faculty, early learning policy organization

2 P-3 sites: Wai’anae Ferrington Complex

Policies and Practices Culturally based programs Comprehensive services for birth to age 5 P-3 joint professional development and planning meetings Data sharing between early learning programs and kindergarten

teachers P-3 advanced certification program for teachers

Pennsylvania

Sample: State department of education staff, local school

practitioners, university faculty, community partners 1 P-3 site:

Pottstown School District PEAK program

Policies and Practices Integrated state system between early learning and welfare

Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Working on P-20 aligned data system Aligned standards, curriculum, and assessments Comprehensive birth to age 5 supports

Ontario, Canada

Sample: Provincial Ministry of Education staff, university researchers,

municipal leaders 2 P-12 sites:

PEEL school board Halton Region (Our Kids)

Policies and Practices Integrated Services Concept

Comprehensive services prenatal to age 18 (e.g., neighborhood hubs, early years centres)

Integrated Systems Concept Integration of early learning office into Ministry of Education Full-day Kindergarten co-taught by EC and K teacher Folding all models of early childhood into domain of school boards

Halton Region, Ontario

Longevity Governance Structure Report Card Based on Developmental Assets Results Based Accountability Effective Implementation of Province-wide Initiatives

Promising Alignment and Coordination Practices

Comprehensive early learning services for birth to age 5

Partnerships with families Cross-sector collaboration for alignment and data-

sharing Joint professional development Workforce development Systems Integration

Issues and Strategies to Creating a Seamless Learning Continuum

Different approaches, philosophies, and beliefs Planning and readiness work Push up/push down approach Joint accountability and ownership

Training for principals and teachers to work across sectors Full day kindergarten taught by early learning and

elementary teachers PreK-3 graduate certificate

Issues and Strategies to Creating a Seamless Learning Continuum

Cont’d… Funding

Private funders Integrated services

Governance Ontario and Halton Our Kids Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)

Actions to Facilitate and Sustain a P-12 Learning Continuum

Role of leadership Tie between state/province and local interplay

Systems integration to coordinate standards, data, funding, and accountability

Most notable in Ontario

Contact Information

For more information about the results of this study, contact:

Erika Huntelhunt@ilstu.edu

Lisa Hoodlhood@ilstu.edu